Broome welcomed more visitors from large cruise ships than ever before in 2015-16.

Premier and Tourism Minister Colin Barnett said a Liberal National Government multimillion-dollar upgrade to Broome wharf was helping build on the Kimberley’s booming cruise ship tourism industry.

“Latest figures show more than 17,000 cruise passengers visited Broome last financial year, up from about 10,000 the previous financial year.” Premier Barnett said.

Broome was second only to Fremantle, which welcomed 151,074 people in 2015-16.

Premier Barnett said cruise ship visits were worth millions to Western Australia’s economy through the money passengers spend while they were in port, as well as the cost of restocking the ship’s supplies.

“In 2015-16, we had three ships home ported in Fremantle during the cruise season, bringing $155 Million to the State’s economy and generating about 470 full-time jobs across the State including 13 in Broome.” Premier Barnett said.

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the State Government had invested $24 Million for improvements to the Broome wharf, with a $3 Million contribution from the Royalties for Regions program.

“The works have restored the structural integrity of the Broome wharf, allowing the needs of the Kimberley community to be served until 2026.” Mr. Redman said.

WA Minister for Regional Development Terry Redman

Premier Barnett said tourism was a vital industry in WA which generated about 97,000 jobs and $9.6 Billion in visitor spend last financial year, including $4.5 Billion in regional areas.

“We want the State-wide figure to increase to $12 Billion by 2020, and having a strong performing cruise sector will help us achieve that goal.” Premier Barnett said.